I really like the first original soundtrack specially the song “Historia: closing theme”.

The new soundtrack features KAORI’s (Solo: Kaori Oda, FictionJunction KAORI, Sound Horizon: KAORI) first Kajiurago (Kajiura language) studio recording. Although her participation in FICTION II (notably the image theme of Xenosaga II and heigen) was released first.

The soundtrack also feature Eri Ito who first appeared in the epic Tsubasa Chronicle Future Soundscape[s].

Yuri Kasahara and Yuriko Kaida were the only two, from the first album, who participated again in this soundtrack. Sadly, Hanae Tomaru and WAKANA (FictionJunction WAKANA, Kalafina: WAKANA). Maybe because they are taking a break? Yuki has been using the two of them since Satoyama Soundtrack and the seven original soundtrack + the rearranged soundtrack of Kara no Kyoukai.

Well, WAKANA’s actually not totally out because Kalafina’s storia and symphonia were included as well.

This is the CD cover:

slight change from the first, eh?

Tracklist:

1. 1. until you find a light ~ op theme #5

Vocal: KAORI, Yuri Kasahara

2. 2. one small light

3. 3. storia

Vocal: Kalafina

4. 4. chaotic

5. 5. jubilee

Vocal: Eri Ito

Chorus: Yuriko Kaida

6. 6.noisy and unrest

7. 7. a forced march

8. 8. the coming ruin

9. 9. I am a small boat on a river

10. 10. a will to go ~ op theme #6

11. 11.a reckless passion

12. 12. the outbreak

Vocal: Yuri Kasahara

13. 13. you can go your own way

14. 14. foreboding

15. 15. mysterious

Vocal: Eri Ito

16. 16. looking back to the past

17. 17.bad things that should happen

18. 18.town of vigor

19. 19. creative power

20. 20. break down the door

21. 21. must go ahead, somehow

22. 22. the breath of the era

23. 23. a fruitless love

Vocal: KAORI

Chorus: Yuriko Kaida

24. 24.to the next door ~ op theme #7

Vocal: Eri Ito

25. 25. a tiny light

26. 26. symphonia TV ver.

Vocal: Kalafina

Here’s my review:

The album’s not as good as the first one but has a lot of highlights. It lacks some songs like frenetic which is a very good example of kajiura’s music that’s overused in her soundtracks. The choice of vocalists, mmm… above average J. The main theme, though rearranged in some other ways or with different vocals, is scattered all over (namely: M1, M10, M24… and M3 too!).

J I enjoyed the first album and I’m enjoying this one too!

For highlights, particularly the with-vocals music:

M1. until you find a light ~ op theme #5

This is one of the music which was patterned from the main theme. KAORI sang the into part and the last part and she’s SO awesome J totally like her voice. Yuri Kasahara sang the middle part… Ahhh…. her operatic voice is soooooo soothing J I like it when Yuri sings with her operatic voice than when she sings with her not-so-low voice (cough MADLAX O.S.T. 2 cough).

M3. storia

Another music that was patterned from the main theme albeit was sung in Japanese. Kajiura, in her liner notes stated that this was the Japanese version of the song “Historia: opening theme” from the first soundtrack.Actually, this was used in the first season of the show.

This song was first released as Kalafina’s 5th single. Later, it also appeared in their 2nd album Red Moon.

M5. jubilee

This song’s very different from the usual Eri Ito vocals from Tsubasa Chronicle Future Soundscape[s], Pandora Hearts Original Sountrack 1, Xenosaga III, etc… The fact that this song wasn’t layered with her own voice but with Yuriko Kaida’s voice (just like E.G.O. from FICTION II). This song… I can’t describe it any better, somewhat portrays freedom or something more of liberation. I may be wrong, L

M12. the outbreak

The instrumental intro somehow reminds me of a forgotten Pandora Hearts’ music. Yuri Kasahara’s part in the music strenghtened the outbreak-atmosphere that was portrayed in the music. This music is very fitting on the show because… uhh. I can’t explain. Like it’s the part when you reveal some lost things from history… weird L.

M15. mysterious

Another Eri ito song! Eri Ito’s been used a lot by Yuki this 2011. Maybe she’s starting another combination of Eri Ito + KAORI just like Hanae Tomaru + WAKANA.

The song’s really short. Eri Ito’s singing in high notes this time. The vocal part is what’s giving the song melody unlike M12 where kasahara’s voice isn’t for melody but used in addition to the atmosphere of the song.

M23. a fruitless love

KAORI!!! She’s not half bad! She can sing clearly in English too! Her Japanese songs are must-heard music! She should be kept as a mainstream singer by Yuki. I’m wishing for another FictionJunction KAORI-only music.

Anyways… this song’s very awesome. Nothing much was altered with her voice. I mean, WAKANA for example, has different singing voice style per Kajiurago music (either she sings like Hanae in kara no kyoukai, sings low in some Kalafina kajiurago parts, etc.)

There’s something unique with her voice. Or maybe, I’m just in love with her voice. What do you think???

M24. to the next door ~ op theme #7

Last song in the album patterned from the main theme. Eri Ito sings the part of KAORI from M1, only with higher voice. This can be compared with Hanae’s faster version, “tell me more ~ op theme #3”, from the first album .

The song starts with KEIKO singing the intro, followed by HIKARU, then WAKANA… lastly, their three voice harmony. Typical of Kalafina J. Well I like this song. Will it be released as a single? I think not – it sounds like their typical b-side music. Maybe it’ll be released in full version in their 3rd album. Hopefully J.

Arrived at Solano!!! I miss this place! Sooper madameng new buildings and establishments like Mang Inasal, forgot-the-name inn, etc. I miss those times when we used to treat Solano as our closest-city-like town. Well, mas improve naman hanggang ngayon ang Solano kaysa Bayombong.

Hanna told us (through text from Janine) that she left her phone and she's currently in Alwyns (computer shop) and that we should head there prior to our arrival. But before heading over there, we stopped at the LGU kasi I'm sooper ihing-ihi na ee.

1. in this winter
instrumental of the song winter from FICTION... very very awesome. I love both the studio version with Deb Lyons and the live version with KAORI

2. image theme of Xenosaga II
EPIC! I fell in love with the original version from Xenosaga II Jenseits von Gut und Bose [Zenaku no Higan] MOVIE SCENE SOUNDTRACK... then with the live version of FictionJunction from FictionJunction 2008-2010 The BEST of Yuki Kajiura LIVE... and now, a new version which includes both Deb Lyons and FictionJunction!!! (-WAKANA though)... Ito ang pinaka gusto ko sa lahat. I guess KAORI's first Kajiurago recording which was supposed to be included in another ost ay napagiwanan ^_^

4. my long forgotten cloistered sleep
I've never been an Emily Bindiger fan. I just don't like her voice (sorry sa mga fans). Among the Bindiger songs in this album, this one is the best. (Okay, I also liked key of twilight, aura, and in the land of twilight under the moon)

5. I swear
new vocalist! I'm still... uhh. I don't what to say. Some people like this but some don't. I think this song's quite good but not the best. ^_^ But then, mybe my opinion'll change later kapag naabsorb ko na ito. Okay, Emily Bindiger's doing the chorus.

6. forest
another Emily Bindiger song. Quite good actually. Nothing new since this one was cappapasted (joke) from El Calzador dela Bruja Original Soundtrack 1. I like FictionJunction's version better. Saree ulit

8. E.G.O.
mmm... I was actually looking forward to this one... This was originally left as instrumental only from Aquarian Age ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK. Eri Ito's voice never ceased to amaze me but with this one, she blew it. I really like the instrumental version... this with-vocals version's kinda lacking.

9. everytime you kissed me
this song was used in the last episode of Pandora Hearts... can't believe I actually finished the cliff-hanger anime and ended up with hearing Emily Bindiger at the final episode... Yuriko Kaida's and Wakana's chorus in the bridge is sooper win. I like the FictionJunction's version better because for one reason, the main vocal was KAORI.

10. I reach for the sun
^_^ Emily Bindiger again. Good.

11. L.A.
One thing I've notice from this song was that the volume's been increased!!! or was it? Yuriko Kaida's angelic voice... ahhh... her duet with KAORI in the FictionJunction version's the best.

12. March
New song with Emily Bindiger. I actually skipped this song everytime I looped the CD. But I'll have to give a fair chance to this song later ^_^

13. heigen
This song introduces a male vocalist with Hanae Tomaru, KAORI, KEIKO, Yuriko Kaida, and Yuki Kajiura. The next best song!!! I actually love this... reminds me of main theme of Xenosaga.

14. maybe tomorrow
The medley version from Xenosaga III [ Zarathustra wa Kaku Katariki ] ORIGINAL SOUND BEST TRACKS was quite good... this one with FictionJunction (again - WAKANA) is also good... or better!